Portable Training Stand

ABSTRACT

A training device is provided comprising a collapsible stand having a central support and a plurality of legs. In a first position, the legs and central support fold into a compact package. In a second position, the legs and central support extend perpendicular to each other into a self-supporting stand having the central support in a substantially vertical position. The training device may further include a plurality of striking pads attachable to the central support. The collapsible stand may include one or more telescoping shafts that slide into and out of the central support to a desired height. The training device may further comprise a horizontal support bar attachable to the central support, wherein horizontal support bar serves to couple additional striking pads. At least one striking pad may be shaped as a human head and attached to the upper portion of the central support.

FIELD

Various features pertain to stands used for self-defense training, inparticular to portable devices for practicing punching and kickingoffensive and defensive techniques by hitting various pads or targets.

BACKGROUND

In the realm of exercise equipment, punching and/or kicking bags andtargets are commonplace. Existing stands are designed to withstandpunching and kicks and as a result tend to be bulky and/or permanentfixtures. As such, existing stands are not easy to move to differentlocations and are not easy to store away when not in use.

Additionally, users tend to be of different heights and have differentexercise needs (e.g., punching versus kicking exercises, martial artsversus boxing, etc.). However, many existing punching and kickingexercise equipment are not adjustable to accommodate these needs.

One type of prior art portable exercise device for training self defenseincludes a large hollow base that is filled with water or sand to makeit stable when kicking or punching the pads or targets. Such devices aretypically very heavy after filled with water and sand and as a resultthey are difficult to store or move from one location to another.

Another type of prior art portable exercise device for trainingself-defense includes a human torso and head shape for practicingpunching or kicking techniques. Such devices are not adjustable in theheight or position of the head and torso, and as a result may not beappropriately sized for very tall or short people, or practicingtechniques for a variety of human sizes.

Consequently, a portable stand for training self defense is needed thatis easily stored, moved around and adjustable over a range of heightsand positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates the training stand in its upright and usableconfiguration.

FIG. 2 shows the training stand in its collapsed configuration forstorage.

FIG. 3 illustrates how different training pads or targets may be coupledto the training stand.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of how training pads or targets maybe mounted or coupled to the training stand.

SUMMARY

A training device is provided comprising a collapsible stand having acentral support and a plurality of legs. In a first position, the legsand central support fold into a compact package. In a second position,the legs and central support extend perpendicular to each other into aself-supporting stand having the central support in a substantiallyvertical position. The training device may further include a pluralityof striking pads attachable to the central support. The collapsiblestand may include one or more telescoping shafts that slide into and outof the central support to a desired height. The training device mayfurther comprise a horizontal support bar attachable to the centralsupport, wherein horizontal support bar serves to couple additionalstriking pads. At least one striking pad may be shaped as a human headand attached to the upper portion of the central support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances well known methods,procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so asnot to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.

One aspect of the present invention provides a training device forhitting and kicking exercises, where the device comprises a trainingstand and a plurality of horizontally adjustable and verticallyadjustable targets (e.g., punching/kicking targets).

The training stand may be collapsible for storage. For example, thecollapsible training stand may comprise square tubing that is connectedwith a variety of linkages that allow the training stand to be lockedrigidly with a vertical square tube held securely in place. The trainingstand can easily be unlocked and folded down to a compact set of tubesthat are easy to store.

Conventional training stands are either bolted to a wall or floor forpermanent installation or have bulky hollow bases that must be filledwith water or sand to keep them from moving. As a result they are noteasily moved or stored. By contrast, the present portable training standis fast to set up and fast to collapse for easy moving or storage.

FIG. 1 illustrates the training stand 100 in its upright and usableconfiguration. The training stand 100 includes a central support shaft102 having one or more telescoping pieces 104 that allow adjusting theheight of the stand 100. That is, the one or more telescoping pieces 104can be extended or retracted to a desired height for exercising ormounting striking/kicking pads or targets. A locking mechanism 105, suchas a pin, screw, or clamp, may serve to lock the one or more telescopingpieces 104 at a particular height. The training stand 100 may beadjustable in height by having a locking clamp 105 that allows thetelescoping pieces 104 to telescope in or out of the central supportshaft 102.

Additionally, folding legs 106 and 108 may be pivotally coupled to oneend 110 of the central support shaft 102. Side linkages 112 and 114serve to couple the central support shaft 102 and legs 106 and 108 in afixed position. In one example, a first end of the linkages 112 and 114may be pivotally coupled to the legs 106 and 108 and a second end of thelinkages may be pivotally coupled to a sliding collar 116. The slidingcollar 116 slides along the central support shaft 102 and locks tomaintain the legs 106 and 108 substantially perpendicular to the centralsupport shaft 102.

In another example, collar 116 is rigidly attached to the centralsupport shaft 102 and the linkages 114 and 112 may be disconnected fromthe collar 116 by removing some pin or threaded nut or bolt. Then thelinkages 114 and 112 may be pivotally rotated around their connectionswith legs 106 and 108 to collapse the training stand for storage.

FIG. 2 shows the training stand 100 in its collapsed configuration forstorage. As illustrated, the legs 106 and 108 may be folded against thecentral support shaft 102 while the telescoping pieces 104 may beretracted into the central support shaft 102.

The stand 100 may have square tubing or it might have some other tubingshape such as round or rectangular, for example. Additionally, thelength of the legs 106 and 108 of the support stand 100 may be selectedto provide stability to the stand 100 when it is used for punching orkicking training.

The training stand 100 may include a plurality of connectors forattaching different training pads and targets. Each of the connectorsmay be adjustable anywhere along the length of the central support shaft102 and telescoping pieces 104 and locked rigidly to thereto.

FIG. 3 illustrates how different training pads or targets 302 and 304may be coupled to the training stand 100. A first target 302 may be inthe form of a human head; the second target 304 may be in the form of ahuman torso. Each pad or target 302 and 304 may be adjusted up or downalong the length of the vertical supports 102 and 104 and coupled to thevertical supports 102 and 104 using sliding collars and/or locks 306 and308. This helps accommodate users of different heights as well as tosimulate a person of different heights for whom the user wishes todefend himself or herself against.

There may be many additional types of targets that attach to thetraining stand 100 using the same or different connectors. In otherexamples, there may be pads or targets in the shape of an arm, leg, handor foot that attach to the training stand. Each of these may be adjustedalong any position of the training stand.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of how training pads or targets maybe mounted or coupled to the training stand 100. In this example, asubstantially horizontal support bar 402 has been coupled to thevertical support. Additional striking pads or targets 404 and 406 arecoupled to the horizontal bar 402. These pads 404 and 406 may mimic anattacker's hands for example. The pads 404 and 406 may be positionedalong the length of the horizontal bar 402 using sliding locking collars408 and 410. Additionally, the pads 404 and 406 may be coupled torotating supports 416 that allow adjusting the angle and/or position ofthe pads 404 and 406.

In some implementations, weight bags (e.g., sand bags) 412 and 414 maybe placed to over the legs 106 and 108 to help keep the stand 100 inplace when the pads or targets are struck.

In alternative implementations, the training stand 100 may be kept inplace by using weights that are normally used for weight liftingexercises.

There can be other types of attachments for the stand that can hold afake gun or knife, for example, to further practice self-defensetechniques.

One advantage of this training device is that each pad, target andconnector is easily removed from the stand 100 for storage through theuse of quick release connectors or other easy to actuate clamping or pinmechanisms.

In some implementations, parts of the support stand, e.g., verticalsupports 102 and 104, may have additional padding to protect a user fromaccidentally hitting the stand 100.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

1. A training device comprising: a collapsible stand having a centralsupport and a plurality of legs, wherein a position the legs and centralsupport fold into a compact package and in a second position the legsand central support extend perpendicular to each other into aself-supporting stand having the central support in a substantiallyvertical position; and a plurality of striking pads attachable to thecentral support.
 2. The training device of claim 1 wherein thecollapsible stand including one or more telescoping shafts that slideinto and out of the central support to a desired height.
 3. The trainingdevice of claim 1 further comprising a horizontal support bar attachableto the central support, wherein horizontal support bar serves to coupleadditional striking pads.
 4. The training device of claim 1 wherein atleast one striking pad is shaped as a human head and attached to theupper portion of the central support.